Air-Fryer Hash Browns: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Hash browns are a breakfast staple, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to make them. They're a great option for a busy morning as they take less than half the time of cooking hash browns in an oven, and they're also a lot less messy. Plus, you get that perfect crispy texture without the need for unhealthy grease. So, how do you cook hash browns in an air fryer?

Cooking Hash Browns in an Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your hash browns will be crispy and not soggy. If you place the frozen hash browns in the air fryer before it is preheated, they will start to thaw, causing excess water and soggy results.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on for a few minutes to heat up. Most air fryers will only take about 2 minutes to heat up to the perfect temperature. This is a much faster process than heating up a traditional oven, which can add 15-20 minutes to the overall cooking time.

The ideal temperature for cooking hash browns is between 350°F and 400°F. Some recipes recommend cooking at 370°F for the best results. If you are reheating leftover hash browns, a lower temperature of 200°C or 390°F is recommended.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can proceed to the next steps of the cooking process, such as spraying the basket with cooking spray and placing the hash browns inside.

Use frozen hash browns

Using frozen hash browns in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious breakfast side dish. The air fryer is a great way to cook frozen hash browns, as they will turn out crispy every time with minimal prep and without the need for unhealthy grease or large amounts of oil.

To cook frozen hash browns in an air fryer, first, set your air fryer to around 370–400°F (194°C). Preheating your air fryer is recommended by some sources, but not all. If you do choose to preheat your air fryer, spritz the basket with oil or non-stick spray first to prevent sticking.

Next, add your frozen hash browns to the air fryer basket. It is important to ensure that the hash browns are in a single, even layer and do not overlap or stack. Spritz the hash browns with a little oil or cooking spray, and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or other spices, if desired.

Finally, air fry the hash browns for around 10–12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For extra crispy hash browns, add another 2–4 minutes to the cooking time. Serve with your favourite breakfast items, such as eggs, bacon, sausage, or a side of ketchup or hot sauce.

Cooking frozen hash browns in an air fryer is a simple and convenient way to make a tasty breakfast side dish, with minimal cleanup required.

Add spices and seasoning

Adding spices and seasoning to your hash browns can really take your air-fried dish to the next level. While some people prefer to season their hash browns after cooking, others choose to toss their frozen hash browns with seasonings before placing them in the air fryer.

You can season your hash browns with spices such as onion powder, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, or rosemary. You can also add some diced onions to cook with the hash browns for extra flavour. A sprinkle of salt and pepper is also a great way to enhance the flavour of your hash browns.

If you're feeling creative, you can even experiment with different sauces and toppings to create a unique flavour profile. Some popular sauce options include ketchup, syrup, or hot sauce. For toppings, you can try fresh fruit, grilled onions, peppers, bacon, or cheese.

Remember, it's essential to preheat your air fryer to ensure your hash browns come out crispy and not soggy. By following these tips and adding your preferred spices and seasonings, you can easily elevate the taste of your air-fried hash browns.

Reheat in the air fryer

To reheat your hash browns in an air fryer, first, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Then, place the hash browns in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between each one. This will ensure the air can circulate and prevent sogginess. You can spritz the hash browns with a little oil to add some fat to the surface and help achieve a crispy texture. Reheat for 2-5 minutes, or until heated through and crisping up.

If you are reheating hash brown patties, it is recommended to not stack or overlap them in the air fryer basket. Reheat at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, flipping the patties halfway through so that both sides become crispy.

The air fryer is a great option for reheating hash browns, as it ensures they become crispy again and don't end up soggy.

Clean-up and storage

Cleaning up after cooking hash browns in an air fryer is relatively easy. You only need to clean the air fryer basket, and there is no need to worry about disposing of deep frying grease. To clean the basket, you can use a paper towel or two and coat the basket with avocado oil to remove any residue.

When storing leftover hash browns, it is recommended to use an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days, according to different sources. It is not advisable to refreeze previously frozen hash browns.

To reheat the leftover hash browns, you can use the air fryer again. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, place the hash browns in the basket, leaving some space between each one, and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through and crispy.

Frequently asked questions